The Monument
The author uses the monument symbolically to represent different world views. The first speaker sees the monument as a work of art with great significance. However, the second speaker does not see the monument as a work of art, saying that it has no importance. Therefore, the two speakers' description of the monument shows that people have different worldviews even when looking at similar objects.
First Speaker
The first speaker is a symbol of positive opinion regarding the work of art. According to the author, the first speaker is determined to convince the second speaker to accept art's reality and its significance. For instance, the first speaker convinces the second reader to look at the monument and keenly study its structure. Despite the failure to convince the second speaker to appreciate art, the first speaker is positive that art is an integral part of an individual; it depicts the free expression of ideas of how the world looks.
Second Speaker
The second reader is a symbol of a contrary worldview opinion. According to the second speaker, he does not understand why the first speaker is wasting time explaining a monument with no significance. According to the second speaker, a monument is a shapeless object made of piled-up boxes. The second speaker says, "It's piled-up boxes, outlined with shoddy fret-work, half-fallen off, cracked and unpainted. It looks old." Therefore, the second speaker has absolutely a contrary opinion regarding the monument.
The prowling animal
The prowling animal is used in the poem to represent art's ability to grow despite not moving. The author writes, "The monument's an object, yet those decorations, carelessly nailed, looking like nothing at all, give it away as having a life, and wishing; wanting to be a monument, to cherish something. The crudest scroll-work says "commemorate," while once each day the light goes around it like a prowling animal.” The author illustrates the significance of art in an individual's life because it promotes talent and growth.
Piled-Up Boxes
According to the second speaker, the monument comprises old piled-up-boxes, making it look shoddy and old. The 'piled-up boxes' symbolizes misconception. The first speaker is passionate about art and its contribution to the growth of an individual's talent and career. However, the second speaker can only see the physical attributes of the monument when looking at it. After seeing the monument, the second speaker says, "It's piled-up boxes, outlined with shoddy fret-work, half-fallen off, cracked and unpainted. It looks old."
